The Spanish cup competition
is expected to keep it's format once again this year. The two earlier rounds
are played over one leg at the ground of the lesser division side, with all
first division teams entering the competition from the first round together
with second division A teams and winners from a preliminary round involving the
top teams from second division B and the third division.

First division teams are
seeded in the first two rounds, and clubs competing in European competitions
are seeded from the last 16 stage.

The prelimiaries and the
first two rounds are regionalized , with clubs first of all being sorted into
four geographical sections before the draw is made. (19.07.05)

Important news: Last
minute changes were agreed to the Copa del Rey competition after the qualifying
round had already taken place. The new format means that first division clubs
will enter at a later stage, and the first round will now only involve 20
second division A sides, with the smaller clubs who made it through the
qualifying round playing the winners of those matches in a new second round.
Eleven first division clubs will enter at the third round, and the nine clubs
playing in European competitions join two rounds after that. (26.08.05)

The full details are as
follows:

First phase:
Qualifying round between the top sides from last season's second division B
and the third division (already taken place).

Second phase: Four
rounds, with matches to be played over one leg at the ground of the lower
ranked side:

First round: This
will only involve 20 first division clubs (all except Málaga B and Real
Madrid B). Games will be played over one leg at the ground of the first named
side.

Second round: The
ten winners from round one join the 18 regional sides who got through the
qualifying round, plus the four sides relegated from the second division A last
season (Córdoba, Terrassa, Salamanca and Pontevedra), plus Real
Unión and Zamora, who were exempt from the qualifying round. Second
division A sides will be seeded to play away from home.

Third round: The 17
winners of the previous round will be joined by the eleven first division sides
who did not qualify for European competitions (including Athletic Bilbao, who
were invited to join the Intertoto Cup but did not qualify on
merit).

Fourth round: The
14 winners of the previous round will meet over one leg, with first division
sides seeded to play away. NB. Date changed from 26 October to 9th
November due to World Cup play-offs. Teams with international players will play
their games on 30 November.

Final phase: The nine
sides competiting in Europe (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Betis,
Espanyol, Sevilla, Osasuna, Valencia and Deportivo) will enter the competition
with the seven survivors from the first phase. Matches will be played over two
legs, starting at the ground of the lower ranked sides, with "European" clubs
seeded at the last sixteen stage but not afterwards.

Cup final: As the
World Cup is taking place this summer, the cup final will be played on 12th
April 2006. The venue will be decided at a later date.

PS. With only
Zaragoza, Deportivo and Espanyol left in the competition, it was decided that
this year's final will be played in Madrid, either at the Bernabeu stadium
(Real Madrid permitting) or otherwise at the Calderón.
(09.03.06)